Your team’s pros and cons

As the Premier League season draws to a close, what’s been the key to your team’s success?

Alternatively, what’s been the reason why the side has struggled?

Using WhoScored.com statistics, here’s our club-by-club guide to the strengths and weaknesses of all 20 Premier League clubs…

ARSENAL

Strength – Creating chances using through balls

It’s typical of Arsenal, and particularly an Arsenal side so dependent on the creativity of Mesut Ozil, but they are still the most capable side in the Premier League when it comes to unlocking defences with a killer pass. With 36 through balls leading directly to a chance, that’s at least 10 more than any other side, with Ozil and Alexis Sanchez alone combining for 19 of those.

Weakness – Stopping opponents from creating chances

A tally of 12.1 shots conceded per game is only the eighth best in the Premier League, which is concerning considering Arsenal boast the most possession. Indeed, the fact that only four goalkeepers have made more saves this season than Petr Cech (88) proves that he doesn’t have the greatest amount of protection.

ASTON VILLA

Strength – Aerial duels

In terms of assessing Aston Villa’s strengths you really have to scrape the barrel, such has been their demise this season. The Premier League’s bottom club have won the third most aerial duels (19.2 per game) this season, thanks in no small part to Rudy Gestede (6.3 per game), with a win rate of 53.7% from said duels also enough to rank third.

Weakness – Finishing scoring chances

Take your pick. Villa rank bottom for a whole host of crucial statistics both at the back and going forwards, but their profligacy in front of goal has been remarkable at times (see Kieran Richardson vs Bournemouth). A conversion rate of just 5.7% is by far the worst in England’s top flight having scored at least eight fewer goals than any other side.

BOURNEMOUTH

Strength – Keeping possession

Very few questioned Bournemouth’s ability going forwards as they romped to the Championship title last season, but many felt they would struggle to have the same fluidity in the top flight. Eddie Howe has stuck to his guns and it’s paid off, having faith in his players to keep their composure in attacking positions, with only four sides maintaining a greater pass accuracy in the final third (69.9%).

Weakness – Defensive record at home

With an impressive 41 goals, the Cherries have somewhat negated their weakness, but will still be concerned by the number of goals they have conceded, particularly at home. Only relegated Villa (31) have let in more goals in front of their own fans this season than Bournemouth (29), which Howe will no doubt look to address ahead of the next campaign.

CHELSEA

Strength – Goals across the pitch

While Chelsea’s goal tally is far from spectacular, they have at least had impressive depth in that regard. When Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alexandre Pato netted against Villa recently, they became the Blues’ 17th and 18th different scorers this season, which is more than any other team. That’s 18 different scorers, with reigning PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard not among them.

Weakness – Defensive record at home

Chelsea have had many flaws this season having surrendered their title so early in the campaign, but while Guus Hiddink has been widely credited with improving the team’s fortunes, he’s been unable to solve their leaky defence at Stamford Bridge. Indeed, Chelsea’s defeat to City last time out means they have now gone 10 games – stretching back to November – since last keeping a clean sheet at home.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Strength – Set-piece attempts

It’s been a bizarre season for Crystal Palace, and very much one of two halves. One thing that has remained consistent for the Eagles, however, has been their ability to prove a nuisance from set pieces, having more attempts from such situations than any other team (39) in the Premier League this season.

Weakness – Through balls

Pardew’s men are renowned not only for their threat from dead ball situations, but also for their speed on the counter. However, when possession is slow for the Londoners they have really struggled to pick that killer pass, and unsurprisingly no side has mustered fewer than their measly total of three through balls setting up a chance.

EVERTON

Strength – Scoring from open play

Everton’s open playing style has seen them criticised this season from a defensive standpoint, and rightly so, but few sides are more capable of breaking opponents down from general play. A total of 39 goals from open play is bettered by only Manchester City (45), Arsenal (42) and Leicester (40) this season

Weakness – Defensive record at home

There’s little question that Everton’s biggest weakness has been their defensive resolve at Goodison Park. Only Aston Villa have conceded more goals at home this season, though even the league’s bottom club have kept more clean sheets than the Toffees (two) in front of their own fans.

LEICESTER

Strength – Conversion rate

With so much to choose from in this regard, it strikes that the league’s top club have been polar opposites to their counterparts at the bottom. Indeed, Leicester’s greatest strength is Villa’s greatest weakness, with a conversion rate of 13.2% easily the best in the division.

Weakness – Pass accuracy

It has obviously meant so little this season, …

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